Gown Up

ABSTRACT

An architecture is presented that provides a combination gown and glove garment designed primarily for use in hospital and healthcare settings. The garment comprises an apron comprising a first end and a second end, and at least one sleeve secured to the first end of the apron. The at least one sleeve can also comprise a glove secured to an end of the sleeve as an integral unit. The glove comprises a wrist gather for retaining the glove on a hand of the user. Furthermore, the garment comprises a neck tie and/or a waist tie for securing the garment to a user. Multiple compressed garments are then removably secured together into one unit. The multiple compressed garments are secured via a tear-away edge at the top of the unit, such that users can rapidly don the garment in one fluid motion, tearing it away from the unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/454,017 filed Mar. 18, 2011.

BACKGROUND

Current medical-grade gowns used at hospitals and/or doctors' offices,whether the medical gowns are disposable or laundered gowns, require theappropriate medical personnel to put on the gown and then also to put onthe gloves which are separate from the gown. These medical gowns aretypically used to avoid contamination by the wearer and to preventtransmission to other patients or personnel. It can take several minutesto suit up, no matter the length of the patient interaction.Furthermore, after medical personnel visit patients, they must changeout of the gloves and medical gown before the next patient interaction.This process continues until all of the patients are seen. Thus, this isa very time consuming and inconvenient process for the caregiver, andfurther increases the wait time that individuals currently experience athospitals, doctors' offices, and other medical facilities. Furthermore,the separate gown/glove combinations make it difficult for the wearer toremove without self-contamination in either sequence of gown or gloveremoval. This is particularly true with laundered gowns, which cannot betorn away from the wearer to be removed.

Additionally, medical gowns are often stored in rolling cabinets, whichare typically left in the halls in front of patients' rooms. Thecabinets can be a fire hazard and can have additional costs associatedwith their acquisition and use. Further, large trash cans are typicallyused to dispose of currently used disposable medical gowns, which cancause the same costs and fire hazard complications. For laundered gowns,significant expenses are incurred in cleaning and/or sterilizing thegowns due to the amount of detergent, water, electricity, and personnelrequired to complete this task. Also, the repeated washing/sterilizingof the gowns causes the same to deteriorate which, in turn, leads to theneed to replace the gown which can be expensive. Consequently, aneffective solution is necessary.

There is a need for an improved medical-grade gown that medicalpersonnel can rapidly put on and take off with little or no third partyassistance, and that can be stored out of the way until needed. Thepresent invention discloses a medical-grade gown that is a unitary gownand glove combination garment, and also discloses a method of utilizingsuch a garment. A plurality of the gown and glove combination garmentsare then compressed into one unit and the unit is secured to a wall orother similar place. To use the gown and glove combination garment, auser simply inserts his or her arms into the sleeve openings and pullsthe single gown away from the unit. Thus, individuals can rapidly donthe combination gown and gloves garment in one fluid motion, tearing itaway from the unit and dramatically reducing the time it takes to suitup for brief patient interactions and eliminating or significantlyreducing the possibility of contamination. Anyone that works in ahospital, doctor's office, or other medical facility will appreciate theconvenience and practicality that this invention affords.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof,comprises a combination gown and glove garment designed primarily foruse in hospital and healthcare settings. The garment comprises an aproncomprising a first end and a second end, and at least one sleeve securedto the first end of the apron. In use, a user would grasp a sleeveopening to open the sleeve and would insert his or her arm(s) into thesleeve(s). The at least one sleeve can also comprise a glove secured toan end of the sleeve as an integral unit. The glove comprises a wristgather for retaining the glove on a hand of the user.

Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thegarment comprises an optional neck tie for securing the garment aroundthe neck of a user. The neck tie is secured to the neck or first end ofthe apron. Furthermore the garment comprises an optional waist tie forsecuring the garment around the waist of a user. The waist tie issecured to a right and left sides of the apron. Multiple compressedgarments are then removably secured together into one unit. The multiplecompressed garments are secured via a tear-away edge at the top of theunit, such that users can rapidly don the garment in one fluid motion,tearing it away from the unit.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intendedto include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a combination gown and glovegarment in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a combination gown and glovegarment folded up in a compressed unit in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a unit of multiple compressedcombination gown and glove garments in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a methodology of utilizing a unit of compressedgarments in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof.

The present invention discloses a medical-grade gown that is a unitarygown and glove combination garment, and also discloses a method ofutilizing such a garment. The garment is comprised of an apron with aneck area and one or more sleeves, and could further comprise a gloveattached to one or more of said sleeves. The garment can be manufacturedin various sizes or can be produced as a one-size-fits-all garment.Multiple garments are compressed into one unit and the unit is securedto a wall by means commonly known in the art. A user inserts his or herarms into the sleeve openings and tears the gown away from the unit.Thus, individuals can rapidly don the combination gown and glovesgarment in one fluid motion, tearing it away from the pack anddramatically reducing the time it takes to suit up for brief patientinteractions and eliminating the possibility of contamination.

The combination garment is primarily intended for use in hospitals andhealthcare settings where contact isolation is required by staff,physicians, family members and loved ones interacting with a patient.However, it can also be used in the food industry or other industries inwhich a simple body and hand barrier is necessary.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a combinationgown and glove garment 100 designed primarily for use in hospital andhealthcare settings. The garment 100 comprises an apron 102 comprising afirst end 104 and a second end 106. Typically, the apron 102 isrectangular shaped, however any other suitable shape can be used as isknown in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention.The apron 102 can also be shaped to be narrower on the first end 104such that the apron 102 forms a neck or chest piece without affectingthe overall concept of the invention. The chest piece would be ofvariable size and shape depending on the needs and sizes of the users.Additionally, the first end 104 forms the neckline of the garment 100and can be either a crew neckline or a “V-neck-shaped” neckline, or anyother suitable neckline shapes as is known in the art. The apron 102would generally be constructed of sheer plastic or cellophane, such asacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC),though any other suitable material may be used to manufacture the apron102 as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of theinvention. The apron 102 is approximately between 40 and 50 inches inlength as measured from tear-away edge to second end 106, approximatelybetween 50 and 65 inches wide as measured from side to side, andapproximately between 1 and 20 millimeters thick, as measured from frontto back as it lays flat. Further, at the tear-away edge or neck line theapron 102 is approximately between 20 and 30 inches wide. The sleevesare between 15 and 25 inches long or between 25 and 35 inches long asmeasured from tear-away edge.

The garment 100 further comprises at least one sleeve 108 secured to thefirst end 104 of the apron 102. Additionally, the sleeve 108 can be anintegral part of the apron 102, and the apron and sleeve can bemanufactured as a one-piece article, without affecting the overallconcept of the invention. The at least one sleeve 108 has the appearanceof a typically constructed sleeve as is known in the art, and having afirst end 110 and a second end 114. The second end 114 is secured to thefirst end 104 of the apron 102 and forms a sleeve opening 126 for a userto insert an arm. The at least one sleeve 108 can also comprise a glove112 secured to the first end 110 of the sleeve 108 as an integral unit.The glove 112 is secured to the sleeve 108 via any suitable securingmeans as is known in the art, such as gluing, welding, stitching, etc.The glove 112 has the appearance of a typically constructed glove as isknown in the art, and can also comprise a wrist gather 116 for retainingthe glove 112 on a hand (not shown) of a user. The wrist gather 116 canbe an elastic band or other suitable means for securing the glove to auser's hand as is known in the art without affecting the overall conceptof the invention. Additionally, the glove 112 can be secured to thesleeve 108 such that the thumbs of the glove 112 are oriented toward thegarment 100 or away from the garment 100. Thus, a user would put on thegarment 100 by placing his or her arms into the sleeves 108 with palmsfacing up or palms facing down depending on the orientation of thegloves 112.

Additionally, the garment 100 comprises a neck tie 118 for securing thegarment 100 around the neck of a user. The neck tie 118 is secured tothe neck or first end 104 of the apron 102, and can be any securingmeans such as tie straps, hook and loop fastener (Velcro®) straps,snaps, slip-over loop and strap, etc. as is known in the art withoutaffecting the overall concept of the invention. The neck tie 118 issecured to the apron 102 via any suitable securing means as is known inthe art. Furthermore the garment 100 comprises a waist tie 120 forsecuring the garment 100 around the waist of a user. The waist tie 120is secured to a right 122 and left 124 sides of the apron 102, and canbe any securing means such as tie straps, hook and loop fastener(Velcro®) straps, snaps, slip-over loop and strap, etc. as is known inthe art without affecting the overall concept of the invention. Thewaist tie 120 is secured to the apron 102 via any suitable securingmeans as is known in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates the combination gown and glove garment 100 folded upin a compressed unit. The garment 100 comprises an apron 102 comprisinga first end 104 and a second end 106 and at least one sleeve 108 securedto the first end 104 of the apron 102. The at least one sleeve 108comprises a first end 110 and a second end 114. The second end 114 issecured to the first end 104 of the apron 102 and forms a sleeve opening126 for a user to insert an arm. A user would grasp the sleeve opening126 to open the sleeve 108 and then would insert his or her arm into thesleeve opening 126. The at least one sleeve 108 can also comprise aglove 112 secured to the first end 110 of the sleeve 108 as an integralunit. The glove 112 comprises a wrist gather 116 for retaining the glove112 on a hand (not shown) of a user.

Additionally, the garment 100 could comprise a neck tie 118 for securingthe garment 100 around the neck of a user. The neck tie 118 is securedto the neck or first end 104 of the apron 102. Furthermore, the garment100 could also comprise a waist tie 120 for securing the garment 100around the waist of a user. The waist tie 120 is secured to a right 122and left 124 sides of the apron 102. Then entire garment 100 is foldedup in a compressed unit that lays relatively flat. Specifically, folds200 at the first end 104 and the second end 106 of the apron 102, andabove the gloves 112 are used to ensure the garment 100 lays in arelatively flat position for storage and use. Further, the folds 200 areto allow expansion of the garment 100 when removed from storage and alsoto form the garment 100 into a rectangular shape for packaging into abox or other storage device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a unit 300 of multiple compressed combination gownand glove garments 100. The multiple compressed garments 100 areremovably secured together at the top 302 of the unit 300. Typically,the multiple compressed garments 100 are removably secured via atear-away edge, but the multiple compressed garments 100 can be securedvia any other suitable means as is known in the art without affectingthe overall concept of the invention, such as adhered together, stapled,loose-leaf or in a binder, suspended from hooks, cold welded, hook andloop fastened (Velcro®), or clamped. In operation, a user (not shown)grasps the sleeve openings 126 and pulls to open the sleeves 108, theninserts his or her arms into the sleeve openings 126. The user thensteps back, away from the unit 100 and applies a downward pressure totear off the garment 100 in which the user has inserted his or her arms.

Additionally, unit 300 can be removably attached and/or mounted to awall, doorway, a hook, etc. The unit 300 can be mounted anywhere that auser needs or desires, as long as the structure can support the weightof the unit 300. The unit 300 is typically attached via a bar clamp orholes with suspension rods. However, any other suitable means forattaching or mounting can be used without affecting the overall conceptof the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a methodology of utilizing a unit of compressedgarments, according to various aspects of the innovation. While, forpurposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologiesshown herein (e.g., in the form of a flow chart or flow diagram) areshown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood andappreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order ofacts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a differentorder and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and describedherein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand andappreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as aseries of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram.Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement amethodology in accordance with the innovation.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method of utilizing a unit of compressed garmentsis illustrated, wherein the compressed garments are a plurality ofcombination gown and glove garments. At 400, the unit of compressedgarments is secured to a wall, a doorway, a hook, etc. At 402, a usergrasps sleeve openings of one of the compressed garments to open thesleeves of the garment. At 404, a user inserts his or her arms into thesleeve openings of the compressed garment. At 406, a user inserts his orher hands into the attached gloves at an end of the sleeve openings. At408, a user pulls the compressed garment away from the unit via atear-away edge at the top of the unit. And at 410, a user secures thecompressed garment to a user by utilizing a neck tie located around theneck opening of the compressed garment.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

1. A combination garment, comprising: an apron comprising a first endand a second end; and at least one sleeve secured to the first end ofthe apron, the at least one sleeve comprising a first end and a secondend; and wherein the at least one sleeve comprises a sleeve opening forinserting a user's arm; and wherein multiple combination garments arecompressed together into one unit from which a single combinationgarment can be removed.
 2. The combination garment of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one glove secured to a first end of the at least onesleeve.
 3. The combination garment of claim 2, wherein the at least oneglove comprises a wrist gather secured to the first end of the at leastone sleeve before the at least one glove.
 4. The combination garment ofclaim 1, further comprising a neck tie located at a first end of theapron.
 5. The combination garment of claim 4, wherein the neck tiecomprises at least one of a strap and loop, a tie strap, or a hook andloop fastened tab.
 6. The combination garment of claim 1, furthercomprising a waist tie located at a waist of the apron.
 7. Thecombination garment of claim 6, wherein the waist tie comprises at leastone of a strap and loop, a tie strap, or a hook and loop fastened tab.8. The combination garment of claim 1, wherein the multiple compressedcombination garments are removably secured together at top of the unit.9. The combination garment of claim 8, wherein the multiple compressedcombination garments are removably secured via a tear-away edge.
 10. Thecombination garment of claim 9, wherein the unit is attached to at leastone of a wall, a doorway, or a hook.
 11. The combination garment ofclaim 10, wherein the unit is attached via at least one of a bar clampor holes with suspension rods.
 12. A combination gown and glove garment,comprising: an apron comprising a first end and a second end; at leastone sleeve secured to the first end of the apron, the at least onesleeve comprising a first end and a second end; and at least one glovesecured to a first end of the at least one sleeve; and wherein the atleast one sleeve comprises a sleeve opening for inserting a user's arm;and wherein multiple gown and glove garments are compressed togetherinto one unit from which a single gown and glove garment can be removed.13. The combination gown and glove garment of claim 12, wherein themultiple compressed garments are removably secured together at top ofthe unit.
 14. The combination gown and glove garment of claim 13,wherein the multiple compressed garments are removably secured via atear-away edge.
 15. The combination gown and glove garment of claim 14,wherein the unit is attached to at least one of a wall, a doorway, or ahook.
 16. The combination gown and glove garment of claim 12, furthercomprising a neck tie located at a first end of the apron.
 17. Thecombination gown and glove garment of claim 16, wherein the neck tiecomprises at least one of a strap and loop, a tie strap, or a hook andloop fastened tab.
 18. A method of utilizing a unit of compressedgarments, wherein the compressed garments are a plurality of combinationgown and glove garments, comprising: grasping a sleeve opening of one ofthe compressed garments to open a sleeve; inserting a user's arms intothe sleeve openings; inserting a user's hands into a pair of gloves atan end of the sleeve openings; and separating the compressed garmentaway from the unit.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the unit ofcompressed garments is removably attached to at least one of a wall, adoorway, or a hook.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprisingsecuring the compressed garment to a user by utilizing a neck tielocated around neck opening of the compressed garment.